This map shows the regions
of the world where Ancient (Classical) Greek was commonly spoken
(red circle). The area was originally inhabited by a mixture
of unknown non-Indo-Europeans. Shortly after 2,000 BCE, the
Greeks or Hellenic tribes moved into this area. Modern scholars
recognize five principal dialectal groups that probably correspond
to the five Greek tribes--Ionic, Aeolic, Arcadian-Cyprian, Doric,
and Northwest Greek. Ionic Greek, especially the Attic subdialect
spoken around Athens, become the predominant standard. This
ultimately evolved into the koiné Greek familiar
to scholars of the New Testament. Toward the end of the Classical
period, large numbers of Greek slaves also lived in the Italian
penninsula, and later in the regions surrounding modern day
Istanbul. Ancient Greek comes from the Hellenic branch of languages.
| Daniel M. Short originally created this
map and the other Indo-European language charts for his website at http://www.danshort.com/.
I reproduce these images here with the author's permission, but they are
copyrighted by Daniel Short as of 2002. These charts should not be reproduced
or reused without Mr. Short's approval. You may contact him at danshort@gte.net
for more information. These images are not public domain. |